ECTS Credit Allocation

ECTS is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. It aims to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility. ECTS is widely used in formal higher education and can be applied to other lifelong learning activities.

ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks.

Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.

60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a fulltime year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. At Eskisehir Technical University, student workload is about 1,500 hours for an academic year, whereby one credit corresponds to 25 hours of work.

The number of minimum total ECTS credits must be earned in order to graduate from associate degree, undergraduate and graduate programs are as stated below:

Associate degree programs; minimum of 120 ECTS
Undergraduate programs; minimum of 240 ECTS
Graduate program with thesis; in a total minimum of 120 ECTS (the program consists of at least 7 courses and a seminar course equals to minimum of 60 ECTS credits + courses on the specialized field and thesis work equals to a minimum of 60 ECTS credits)
Graduate program without thesis; minimum of 60 ECTS credits (the program consists of at least 10 courses and a term project course.)
A Ph.D. program for graduates of Master Thesis Program; minimum of 240 ECTS (The program consists of 7 courses, seminar course, the doctoral comprehensive examination, the thesis proposal, equals to minimum of 60 ECTS + courses on the specialized field and thesis work equals to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits)
A Ph.D. program for graduates of Undergraduate Programs; minimum of 300 ECTS (the program consists of 14 courses, seminar course, the doctoral comprehensive examination, the thesis proposal equals to minimum of 120 ECTS + courses on the specialized field and thesis work equals to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits)

*Adapted from ECTS Users Guide, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc/ects/guide_en.pdf